During the bubble economy of the mid 1980s through early 1990s, Japanese women’s language grew with public passion, incentivizing Japanese women with the promise of upward mobility.

But in the post-bubble economy, public discourse on women’s language lost steam in the media. The relationship between language and gender shifted during this time both in Japanese politics and economics.

Using Gilles Deleuze’s notions on control society, we will ask how post-bubble Japanese society uses language as a vehicle for gender inequality. More importantly, we will discuss how to forge a new method of critique to disrupt linguistic sexism.

A dinner and wine reception will precede the talk. Buffet dinner begins at 5:45 PM. ($20 contribution for dinner guests/free for students).

Lectures begin at 6:30 PM and are free and open to the public, but registration is required.